There was no one
there. In a very few minutes he was on deck, and found that the
steamer was lying in the lee of a huge rock, which reminded him of
Mont St. Michel in Normandy, except that it was about half again as
high, and three times as long, and that there were no buildings of any
kind upon it, nor, indeed, the least sign of human habitation.
The morning was fine; in the east the sun had just risen, and was
flooding the grim rock with a rosy light. Except this rock, no trace
of land was visible as far as the eye could see. Alongside the steamer
was moored a sailing-boat with two masts, but provided also with
thole-pins, and sweeps for rowing. The sails were furled, and she had
evidently been brought to the steamer's side by means of the oars.
Into this craft the crane was lowering boxes, bags, and what-not,
which three or four men were stowing away. The mate was superintending
this transshipment, and the Captain, standing with his back against
the deck-house, was handing one by one certain papers, which
Lermontoff took to be bills of lading, to a young man who signed in a
book for each he received. When this transaction was completed, the
young man saluted the Captain, and descended over the ship's side to
the sail-boat.
"Good morning, Captain. At anchor, I see," said Lermontoff.
"No, not at anchor. Merely lying here. The sea is too deep, and
affords no anchorage at this point.
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